Carter Expected to Announce Run for the 7th

By Sean Yoes, AFRO Baltimore Editor, [email protected]

Several sources close to Baltimore Sen. Jill Carter said she is a candidate to represent the 7th Congressional District of Maryland, in the aftermath of the sudden death of Rep. Elijah Cummings on Oct. 17. Carter is scheduled to make a “special announcement” on Nov. 18, when she is expected to make her candidacy for the seat Cummings once held official.

Carter, who represents the 41st District of Baltimore City will publicly divulge her plans during a fundraiser at Bonaire Manor, in Ellicott City.

Carter formed an exploratory committee on Oct. 30 (the day after Gov. Larry Hogan announced the special election date to fill the Cummings’ seat) to gauge her chances and to inform her ultimate decision on Nov. 18

Carter, the daughter of civil rights icon Walter P. Carter, utilized the words of the late Cummings in an email disseminated by her exploratory committee.

“I need Jill Carter, the people’s champion, fighting against Donald Trump’s policies,” the email reads, quoting Cummings’ support for Carter when she announced her run for the Maryland Senate in 2018. “She has a proven record of standing firm for the people of Baltimore. She’s a proven leader and advocate we can trust. She didn’t just get here. She was born here, raised here, she is Baltimore. I know and trust Senator Carter and I’m proud to stand with her.” 

 Carter may join a race that has added new entrants every few days. Del. Talmadge Branch, who represents the 45th District of Baltimore City tossed his hat in the ring for the 7th, on Oct. 31. And the man who held the seat prior to Cummings, former NAACP president Kweisi Mfume made his candidacy official on Nov. 4.

Cummings’ widow Maya Rockeymoore Cummings is also scheduled to make an announcement about her future and the future of the 7th on Nov. 12.